Akkodis ASP Announces First Drivers, Sticks to RC F GT3

Akkodis ASP has announced its first two drivers for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season, as well as confirming it will continue to use the Lexus RC F GT3.

The Jerome Policand-led squad revealed on Monday that Jose Maria Lopez and Esteban Masson will be its two Pro drivers for the upcoming campaign, ahead of the anticipated reveal of the full-season WEC entry list.

It also confirmed that it will run the Lexus for a third consecutive season, with the new Toyota GR GT3 not expected to debut in the WEC until 2027.

Former Toyota Hypercar driver Lopez — who remains the Japanese marque’s unofficial reserve — continues to spearheading the lineup for the No. 87 Lexus.

Masson, meanwhile, effectively replaces Ben Barnicoat as the designated Pro in the sister No. 78 car, having previously served as one of the team’s Silver-rated drivers.

Last year the French youngster focused on his campaigns in the European Le Mans Series, winning the LMP2 class title for Panis VDS Racing alongside Charles Milesi and Oliver Gray, and the Super Formula Lights series in Japan.

He is expected to continue racing in the ELMS next year as has already been linked to a potential graduation to Toyota’s Hypercar squad in 2027.

The remainder of ASP’s lineups for the 2026 season will be announced later.

Bronze-rated pair Martin Berry and Tom van Rompuy as well as Silver-rated Hadrien David all sampled the team’s RC F GT3s in last month’s Bahrain rookie test.

Confirmation that ASP will stick with the existing Lexus for another year follows on from last week’s reveal of its long-awaited successor, the GR GT3.

The new car is expected to compete in other series — including the Nürburgring 24 and SUPER GT — next year before a wider launch in 2027.